Security forces kill 5 JeM militants in Kashmir

6 February 2002The Times of India

SRINAGAR: Security forces gunned down five Pakistani militants of Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) outfit including a self-styled district commander, and arrested a local militant and busted a hideout in separate anti- militant operations in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, a police spokesman said on Wednesday. The five JeM militants, including district commander Abu khalid were killed in an encounter with Rashtriya Rifles at Khudi-Warnow, 100 kms from Srinagar, on Wednesday, the spokesman said.He said the encounter broke out when the troops laid a cordon in the forest area to flush out the hiding militants who resorted to firing in an abortive attempt to escape. The troops retaliated and killed Khalid alongwith four of his accomplices identified as Abu Talha, Abu Majid, Abu Nisar and Abu Sufian.The killed militants were all Pakistanis hailing from Punjab province. Three AK assault rifles, 13 magazines, two pistols with two magazines, two wireless sets, a rocket projectile gun and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from them, the spokesman said.The spokesman also said another encounter between militants and security forces took place at village Nutnusa in the same district, but no casualty was reported.Prior to the encounter, security forces apprehended a local militant, Ghulam Qadir Dar in the area and recovered a mortar, a base plate and seven mortar bombs from him, the spokesman said. In another successful operation, the spokesman said security forces busted a militant hideout at Keshwan area of Doda district on Tuesday night.Meanwhile, militants shot at and critically wounded one, Nazir Ahmad Dar of Mehmoodpora-Kulgam in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Tuesday night.Dar, who was present inside his house when the militants attacked him, shifted to hospital, the spokesman said, adding, motive behind the militant attack was not known immediately.Two gunmen forced their entry into the house of a retired lecturer Ghulam Nabi Zargar at Tral Payeen in Pulwama district on Tuesday night and decamped with Rs 14,000- and some gold ornaments, the spokesman added.